7. Relieved almost immediately, it was put into line on October 17 in the Queant sector, where it still was at the beginning of February, 1918.
RECRUITING.
It is recruited from the Province of Hanover in the Duchy of Brunswick.
VALUE—1917 ESTIMATE.
It had very heavy losses on May 5, 1917 (many killed, 700 prisoners), which, joined to the preceding losses, lessened the value of the 20th Division very much.
It is to be noted that two weeks before the attack of May 5 the units of the division defended themselves obstinately.
1918.
Cambrai.
1. The division was relieved by the 119th Division about the middle of January; it, in turn, relieved the 119th Division during the first week in February. It was relieved by the 195th Division on February 16, and marched to Aubigny au Bac; it reached Basaecles (southeast of Tournai) the 18th. Here it was given a month’s course of training in open warfare.
2. On March 14 the division marched to Peruwelz and then via St. Amand-Lourches-Bouchain, arriving at Pronville, where it entered line on the 20th. It advanced through Noreuil, Bapaume, Grevillers, Irles, and Miraumont. During this fighting the division suffered severely, its casualties amounting to 50 per cent of its effectives; very few officers left. It did not advance with the rest of the line during the night of the 24–25th, its place being taken by the 24th Division. It followed in support of the line, however, and relieved the 24th Division east of Colincamps on the 29th. A document captured on the 28th shows that the strength of the 3d Battalion of the 77th Regiment (excluding the machine gun company) was reduced to 214 men. Another battalion was reduced to 80 men and 1 officer.